NNPC’s N66 Fuel Discount Comes With a Catch: Motorists Must Pay Through Mobile App

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has clarified that motorists seeking to benefit from its ₦66-per-litre fuel discount at retail outlets nationwide must make their purchases through the company’s mobile application, a condition that has drawn attention to how Nigerians can access the temporary price relief.

The discount, initially introduced on October 1, 2026, to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, was originally scheduled to run until October 7. However, the company subsequently extended the promotion to October 31, giving eligible customers additional time to benefit from the offer.

NNPC’s announcement means the discount is not automatically available to every customer who drives into one of its filling stations. Motorists must download and register on the NNPC Fuel App and use the platform to complete their fuel transactions to qualify for the reduced price.

The distinction has practical implications for motorists who ordinarily pay cash or use other payment methods directly at the pump. According to checks conducted at NNPC retail outlets in Abuja and reported by Punch, petrol was selling for ₦1,405 per litre for customers paying directly at the pumps, while eligible customers transacting through the app paid ₦1,339 per litre.

NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, explained that the promotion was initially conceived as a customer incentive to mark the Independence Anniversary. The company subsequently maintained the offer following the Federal Government’s October 8 announcement of a temporary fuel-price relief measure in response to rising petroleum costs.

The company has defended the app-based arrangement as a way to maintain effective control over transactions, prevent abuse and ensure that the intended customers receive the benefit. It has also identified increased adoption of its digital platform and improved customer experience as objectives of the initiative.

The discount has, however, raised questions about accessibility, particularly for commercial drivers and other motorists who lack smartphones, have limited internet access or are unfamiliar with digital payment applications. For these customers, the requirement to transact through the app could create an additional hurdle in accessing a price reduction intended to ease the burden of rising fuel costs.

The Federal Government’s intervention came amid pressure on households, businesses and transport operators from elevated petrol prices linked to developments in the international oil market. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced on October 8 that NNPC would offer discounted petrol for 30 days, with priority intended for public transport operators.

NNPC subsequently said its ₦66-per-litre discount would continue across its retail stations until October 31. The company stressed that the measure was a temporary customer-relief initiative and should not be interpreted as a reintroduction of the petrol subsidy regime, which the Federal Government removed in May 2023.

For motorists planning to take advantage of the offer, the immediate requirement is to download the NNPC Fuel App, complete the necessary registration and use the application to pay for eligible purchases. NNPC has also promoted the discount as covering petrol and automotive gas oil (diesel), although customers should confirm the applicable terms and conditions within the app before completing a transaction.

With the October 31 deadline approaching, the effectiveness of the initiative will depend not only on the financial value of the discount but also on how easily eligible motorists can access it. While ₦66 off every litre offers a measurable reduction in fuel expenditure, the app-only condition means that customers who do not use the designated digital platform should not expect to receive the discount automatically at the pump.